Watertight plug and jack



July 31, 1951 GLE SQN 2,562,544

WATER'IIGHT PLUG AND JACK Filed Jan. 31, 1948 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

17010427155 GZeasom Jf/Zww @1 1 Fatented July 31 1951 WATERTIGHT PLUG AND JACK Howard S. Gleason, Rochester, N. Y., assignor to Stromberg-Carlson Company, a corporation of New York Application January 31, 1948, Serial No. 5,635

12 Claims. (01.173-328) The present invention relates to a multi-contact water tight plug and jack and more specifically to a three contact plug and jack arrangement which is completely sealed againstwater or other foreign material such as sand or the like,

both when the plug and jack are in engagement as well as when they are disengaged.

Plugs and jacks are extensively employed in all sorts of communication devices. Many times it is desirable to provide an arrangement which is unaffected by moisture, water, foreign objects and the like, and which will function well under adverse conditions whereconventional plugs and jacks are never called upon to operate. It would be desirable to provide a multi-contact plug and vjack. arrangement in which the contact surfaces W on both the plug and the jack are completely protected at all times.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved multi-contact plug and jack in which the contactsurfaces on both the plug and jack are protected against moisture, water, sand and the like whether the plug and jack :are in engagement .or disengagement.

It is another .object of the present .invention to provide a multi-contact plug and jack which is .small, compact and fool proof in operationregardless of adverse conditions under which it is .required to operate, such as extreme ranges of temperature and in contact with moisture, water,

sand and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention -to provide a water tight multi-contact jack including positive means for .moving the contacts of the jack into contacting engagement with an associated plug when such plug is inserted in the jack.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved jack including a sealing plunger for sealing the opening therein when the plug is Withdrawn and further including cammed contacts which are positively moved into engagement with the plug when the plug is inserted in the jack.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-conductor plug and jack which is effectively-sealed against water or moisture and which works satisfactorily under extreme temperature conditions with no sticking or jamming thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved .multi-contact plug and a new and improved multi-contact jack which are electrically as well as mechanically satisfactory, which are simple and inexpensive tacting relationship;

to manufacture and which are fool proof in operation.

A still further object of the present invention is to. provide a water tight plug and jack com bination which may be locked in. contacting .en-

easement.

Further objectsand advantages of the present inventionwill. become apparent as the followin description proceeds and the. featuresof novelty which characterize the invention will. be. pointed out with particularity in the claims ,annexedto and forming a part of application.

For a better understanding ofthe presentinventicn referencezmay .be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 isa perspective view .of the plug andiaok of the present. invention shown in .lockedcon- Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view plug of thepresent invention;

Fig. 3 is an enlargedsectional view. plug of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken .on line :Ar-A of Fig. 3, assuming that Fig. 3 shows a complete .device;..

. Fig. 51s an enlarged sectional vies/v.0: only the of the of the jack .of. the present invention takensubstamially on line.5,- 5 :of Fig. 6.;

Fig.6 is .an-end view of the jack of Fig.5 mking in the :directionqf the arrows 6-76 of.Fig.: 5,

and assuming that Fig. 5 shows .a complete. de-

vice;

Fig. 7 is a sectional :view of theplug and jack of the present-inventionsimilar to Eigs..3 and 5,

showingltheplug and jaekinthe condition shown Fig. '8 isacsectional view taken on line i=8 .of Fig. 7 assuming-Fig. 7,.shows a complete ,device;

Fig.l9 is a sectional view taken-on line BF-f Fig. 7 alsolassum-ing Fig. 7 shows a complete device;

Fig. 10 is .-a view of aimodified jackembody the present invention;

Fig. 1 1 is a 'viewt'a'kenalong the line -H -|'.|=0f

Fig. 10;

.Fig. l2.-is a sectional view taken on line I.2=-l2 10f Fig. 10;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line 13*! of Fig-10;

Fig. 1 4 is a sectional view taken on line M'-l4 Fig. 15 is asectiona'l view taken on line'l'5- l5 ofFig. 11; and

Fig. 16 is a sectional viewofthejack of FigAO taken along line -l4 l4 of Fig. lland showing within the shell I2.

3 the plug in position and the locking arms in locking engagement.

The present invention is primarily concerned with a three contact water tight plug and jack whereby water, moisture and other foreign material such as sand or the like is prevented from entering any part of the plug or jack whether the plug and jack are disconnected or the plug is inserted in the jack.

Referring now to the modification of the present invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings, the water tight three-contact plug II] of the present invention and the cooperating water tight three-contact jack II of the present invention are shown in Figs. 1 and '7 with the plug locked in contacting engagement with the jack I I. The present invention is concerned with both the plug I and the jack II and each is separately described in detail in the following .description.

Considering first the construction of the plug III of the present invention reference may be had to Figs. 2, 3 and 4 of the drawings. Essentially the plug comprises a hollow shell I2 having a threaded portion I2a at one end thereof and a flanged portion [2b at the other end so as to define at said other end a cable receiving opening of a cross section substantially less than the internal diameter of the hollowshell l2. A suitable multi-conductor cable I3 specifically illustrated as a three conductor cable, is adapted to be inserted through the opening defined by the flange I2b. The cable I3 is illustrated as an insulated cable and the three conductors are also individually insulated from each other. The plug III further includes a hollow sleeve I4 having a portion I5 of reduced cross section at one end which provides the so-called sleeve contact of the three contact plug III for engaging with a cooperating contact in the jack II. The portion I5 of the sleeve I4 is separated from the remainder of the sleeve by an integral annular flange I6 whose outer diameter is very slightly larger than the internal diameter of the shell I2 to limit the I2. On the side of the flange I6 opposite the contact sleeve I5 there is provided a cylindrical portion I! which is adapted to be telescoped The end of this cylindrical portion l! remote from the flange I6 is designated ;as Ila and includes a suitable sealing surface for 'cooperating with an annular sealing gasket [8 adapted to be compressed between the flange I2b and the annular sealing surface or end. I'Ia. As

is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings the sealing gasket I8 is compressed sufficiently so as slightly to deform the insulation on cable I3 thereby insuring a water tight seal at the opening in the shell I2 for receiving the cable l3. For the purpose of sealing the other end of the shell. I2 the portion II adjacent theannular flange I6 is provided with an annular recess I9 for receiving a suitable sealing gasket 20.

' In order that suitable electrical connections to be described hereinafter can readily be made between the individual conductors of the cable I3 and portions of the plug l0 an opening or window is cut into the cylindrical portion II between the recess I9 and the end portion Ila. Actually between these points the portion IT, as illustrated, is only a semi-cylindrical sleeve with the edges of this semi-cylindrical sleeve being clearly shown in .Figs. 2 and 4= of. the drawings and designated as I'Ib. When the cable [3 extends through the end I'Ia of the sleeve portion I! the ends of the individual conductors thereof, which conductors are specifically designated as I311, I31) and I30, are disposed so that when the shell I2 is removed access thereto can readily be had through the window or opening defined by virtue of the fact that the sleeve II between the recess l9 and the end Ila is only a semi-cylindrical sleeve. The sleeve contact I5 is provided adjacent the flange I6 with suitable means for retaining in fixed position a suitable face plate sealing gasket 21. As illustrated these means comprise a plurality of spaced peripheral ridges 22 which are adapted to deform the gasket 2| to hold the same, or the gasket 2| may be provided with cooperating recesses.

In order that the cable I3 may be held in fixed position relative to the sleeve !4 regardless of whether or not the conductors I3a, I32) and I3c are suitably fastened to someconducting portion or the like, there is provided a cable clamp 23 which may be rigidl clamped to the cable I3 as is clearly shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. Suitable means are preferably provided to relate the cable clamp 23 to the sleeve Mto prevent relative movement therebetween. Such means might comprise ears formed of punched out portions of the clamp 23 such as are shown at 23a in Fig. 2 of the drawings for engaging with the edges Nb of the semi-cylindrical portion of the sleeve [4. As illustrated the portion I! of the sleeve I4 is recessed at 24 to receive the cable clamp 23, which recess may be designed so as to limit the movement of the cable clamp 23 and consequently the cable I3, along the longitudinal axis of the plug l0 should that be desirable or necessary. One of the conductors of the cable I3, and specifically the conductor I3a, has been illustrated .as being electrically connected to the sleeve I4 and consequently to the sleeve contact I5. This electrical connection is specifically illustrated as comprising a suitable terminal 26 fastened to the end of the conductor I3a and a screw 21 threadedly engaging a tapped opening provided in the sleeve M.

For the purpose of providing electrical contacts on the plug Ill in addition to the sleeve contact I5 so as to provide a three contact plug there are provided a ring contact 29 and a tip contact 30 which are arrangedin spaced axial alignment with the sleeve contact I5. As illustrated the contacts 29 and 30 have a generally cylindrical outer surface with an external diameter substantially the same as that of the sleeve contact I5 so that the three contacts I5,

29 and 30 provide a rod like plug portion for insertion into a cooperating jack such as II, with the individual contacts however being electrically insulated from each other as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings thereby providing tip, ring and sleeve contacting surfaces. The ring contact 29 is spaced axially from the sleeve contact I5 by a. predetermined amount which axial space is filled with suitable insulat ing material designated as'3la in Fig. 3 of the Similarly the tip contact 30 is spaced axially from the ring contact 29 by a predetermined amount which axial space is filled with a suitable insulating material designated as 3Ib in Fig. 3 of the drawings. A slight recess 32 is defined in the end of the tip contact 30 which is adapted to receive the end of a suitable sealing plunger provided in the jack II to be described hereinafter, to insure better positioning during the plugging operation. .For a purpose 'ig'nated herinafter groove 34. r

which will become more apparent as thefollowing description proceeds the ring contact. 29 is provided with a circumferential-locking groove '33 and the tip contact 3|] is provided with a similar circumferential locking groove. 34. These lockinggrooves are illustrated as having a somewhat V-shaped cross-section and are-desas ring groove 33 and tip extension 35 is indicated as being provided with a tapped opening for receiving a screw 36 which in turn clamps the terminal 3'!- fastened to the conductor [31) in a manner to complete the electrical connection --between the conductor |3b and the ring contact 29. r i 1 7 i For the purpose of *electricallyconnecting the remaining conductor |3c to the tip contact there is provided a rod '39 having a threaded end screwed to the tip contact '30 as is clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. This rod 39 is adapted to be disposed in concentric relationship with the sleeve l4 and the sleeve like extension with a suitable annular space capable of being filled with insulating material being defined between the rod' 39 and the sleeve like extension 35. As illustrated in Fig. 3 of the drawings the end of the-rod 39 remote from the tip contact 30 is suitably welded or otherwise fastened to a member havinga tapped'openingfor receiving a screw 4| which in turn holds the contact terminal 43; electrically connected the associated conductors are electrically insulated from one another, to provide annular contact surfaces which are'spaced along thelon'gitudinal axis of the-plug with respect-to one another, the annular space defined between the sleeve l4 and the sleeve like portion 35' and the annular space between the rod-"3 9 and the portion 35 are preferably filled with an insulating compound which is liquid when hot and under pressure and cools to form a solid mass. --contacts i5, 29 and 3|! and their integral concentrically arranged portions may be suitably held and the insulating compound 3| forced-"into the spaces defined therebetween including the "axial-spaces between the contacts themselves.

The

Upon cooling the insulating material 3| hardens and holds the parts as a unitary assemblywith the conducting parts suitably insulated from each other.

For the purpose of closing the opening which 'aifords access to the terminals 26,31 and '33,

there is provided a sheet of insulating material such as is designated by the reference numeral '45 which is preferably wrapped around the-portion I! of the-sleeve M in a manner to substan tially completely surround the same. --'Such-into thecondu'ctor i30 in contacting engagement with the member 49 and consequently in elec- -trical connection with the tip contact 33. With this arrangement the three co'n'ductors-|3a, 13b, and |3c are respectively connected in --'current conducting relationship to the'sleeve-contact 15, the *ring contact 29, and the tip contact 30. In 'order'that the three contacts I5, 29 and 30 and :metal nose piece or end 63 which is capable .of being receivedxwithin the recess 32 of the tip "contact 36 in theimanner mentioned above. .A --suitable gasket 84 having a conical external configuration forms a part of theplungertZ aiid su'lating material might comprise a sheet of varnished cambric or similar .material. It shouldbe understood. that the gaskets I8, 20 and 2| are preferably formed from any suitable gasket material which provides long life and insures proper sealing action under the same extremes of 'temperature as the complete plug and jack.

- For the purpose of clamping the shell I 2 and the sleeve Hi into sealed relationship there is provided "a coupling member 50 and a gasket shield 5|. The coupling member 50 is threaded internally from each end in the manner of a pipe coupling, withthethreads at one end engageable with the threaded portion |2a of the shell I2. The gasket shield 5| i provided with an externally threaded portion for engaging with the threads at the other end of the coupling 59. The other portion of the gasket shield 5| is adapted to extend over the major portion of the face plate engaging gasket 2| to protect and hold. the same in proper position as shown in-Fig. 3 of the drawing. The

shield=5| further includes a counterbored portion at the threaded end soas to define a shoulder lil'a for engaging with the annular flange Hi. The

"collar 53 may firstbeapplied to the shell 12 after the other parts of the plug are assembled. By "means of the shield 5| and by virtue of the shoulde'r em therein the sleeve I4 is forced into sealed telescopic relationship with the shell l2 in "a manner so that the ends of the threaded portionsof both the shell l2 and the shield 5| are pulled substantially into contacting engagement.

'It will be apparent that the shell I 2 provides a satisfactor handle by which the plug I0 may be grasped by the operator in performing any plugging or unplugging-operation. By virtue of the spaced peripheral rides 22 onthe sleeve contact; is the face plate sealing gasket 2| is also firmlylneld in position by means ofthe shield 5|. 'Froman examination of Fig. 7 of the drawings it is apparent that the faceplate sealing gasket 2| is slightly deformed atits tip when the plug it is full inserted in the jack to "be describedhereinafter thereby providing a suit- -able seal at the entrance to the jack i l when the plug "i8 is inserted therein. Also by virtueof the gaskets i8 and iii-moisture and otherforeign material is completely excluded 'from the plug Ill.

and the tip contact 36. Preferably thesleeve contact l5 engages with the walls of the orifice 6| to provide an electrical connection which is preferably the ground connection. For the, purpose of providing a watertight jack construction the orifice 6| is adapted to be sealed when the plugli! is inserted. therein by the face plate engaging gasket 2| described above which seal- --ingly engages the face plate as is clearly shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings. In order that this orifice or opening 6| is sealed at the instant the plug is. removed therefrom there is provided a conical sealing plunger E32 having a rounded fect alignment. Furthermore, a line contact seal with even wear is assured. By the nature of the design any foreign particles getting on the sealing surfaces would be easily extruded.

The other important elements of the jack H comprise a plurality of contact springs specifically designated as 65, 66 and 6'! and a contact cam generally designated at 8B for camming the contacts into and out of engagement with the plug 16 both to make electrical contact and also to lock the plug and jack into contacting engagement. A helical spring 59 provides the necessary force for biasing the conical plunger 62 into sealing engagement with the orifice B I.

Considering now the elements of the jack II in detail it may be observed that the face plate 60 best shown in Figs. 1, 6 and 9, essentially comprises a rectangular plate with suitable openings .10 therein for fastening the same to a suitable panel board or the like. The plug entrance side of the face plate 60 is provided with a plurality of plug guide posts ll, four of such guide posts being illustrated in the drawings for guiding the plug during the initial part of a plugging operation and to serve to strengthen the plug from lateral blows. The other face of the face plate 60 is provided with a circumferential ring 12 which may be integrally formed with the face plate and the plug guide posts H. The circumferential ring '12 may provide a suitable sealing surface for a container not shown which may enclose the jack H and maintain the same in water proof condition. It may be that the entire panel board upon which jacks such as H are mounted is a sealed unit in which case the circumferential flange i2 performs the function of centering the face plate 60 in a suitable opening which must be defined in the panel board to receive the jack II.

For the purpose of supporting the guide cam -68 for reciprocal movement and also for suitably supporting the helical spring 69 there are .provided a plurality of helical spring guide posts -ment with suitable tapped openings in the face plate 60.

The contact cam generally designated at 68 is adapted to be reciprocally movable along the guide posts 14 and accordingly the contact cam which is illustrated as a disk shaped cam member preferably formed of insulating material, is provided with a plurality of openings 15 for receiving the guide posts 14. For providing additional strength the disc like portion of the contact cam 68 is provided with a reinforcing ring 16 which may be embedded in a suitable recess defined around the periphery of the disk shaped portion of the contact cam 68. Although the openings 15 cooperating with the guide posts 14 satisfactorily guide the movement of the contact cam 68, to further insure accurate movement thereof there are provided a plurality of stabilizing fingers 18 extending from the disk shaped portion in a direction away from the face plate 60.

Each stabilizing finger 18 of the contact cam 66 is provided with an enlargement 18a for engaging with the associated helical spring guide post 14. The enlargements 18a tend to slide along the guide posts 74 thereby providing stable movement of the contact cam 68. If desired the stabilizing fingers 18 may be provided at their upper ends with suitable extensions 88 to provide stops for limiting the maximum movement of the contact cam 68 from the face plate 60 in a manner which will be more clearly understood as the following description proceeds.

In accordance with the present invention the contact cam 68 is rigidly fastened to the plunger 62 so that movement of the plunger 62 causes movement of the contact cam 68 and vice versa. To fasten the plunger '82 to the contact cam 68 the latter is provided with a central opening 8| in which is. disposed a flanged sleeve 82 preferably molded into the walls defining the opening 8| in the disk portion of the contact cam 68. The flanged sleeve 82 defines a shoulder 83 in the opening 8|. Themetal nose piece 63 of the conical plunger 62 preferably includes an intermediate annular fiange 86 and a rivet like portion 85 which latter portion extends into the opening 8| beyond the shoulder 83. The rivet like portion 85 may be peened over against the shoulder 83 as is-clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings fh'mly to fasten the conical plunger 62 to the contact cam 68 with the annular flange 84 engaging the end of the flanged sleeve 82 not engaged by the peened over portion 85. If desired a suitable sealing cement generally designated at 86 may be disposed within the opening 8| above the conical plunger 62.

From the description included thus far it is apparent that the helical spring 69 is disposed within the confines of the helical spring guide posts 14 with one end thereof engaging the contact cam 68 around the opening 8i defined therein. For the purpose of providing a suitable support against which the other end of the helical spring 69 may act there is provided a suitable disk-like member 90 which may be fastened in any suitable manner to the ends of the guide posts 14 not fastened to the face plate 68. Any suitable means for relating disk 90 with the guide posts I4 may be employed, such for example as welding, riveting or the like. As illustrated the ends of the guide posts 74 are threaded as indicated at 9] and are of reduced cross section so as to defined suitable shoulders to support the disk 50. Nuts 92 may be provided for the threaded ends 9| of the guide posts 14 extending through the disk 90. With this arrangement it is apparent that the face plate 60, the guide rods 14 and the disk 90 form a sort of pedestal for guiding and supporting both the contact cam 68 and the helical spring 69 and these members form a subassembly of the jack. It will be understood that the helical spring '69 will be compressed between the contact cam 68 and the disk 90 before the disk 90 is fastened to the guide posts 74.

As illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7 of the drawings a suitable stop member 93 is disposed within the confines of the helical spring 69. The stop member 93 is provided with a suitable threaded extension 94 of reduced cross section adapted to extend through an opening in disk 90. Preferably the stop member 93 is fastened to the disk 90 by soft solder or any other suitable means so as .to hold it in the position shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings to aid in assembling other partsof tensions 88 on the stabilizing fingers 18 are provided, stop member 93 maybe dispensed with since the extensions 80 may be employed to engage with a suitable portion of the jack to limit the maximum movement of the contact cams 68 from the face plate 68. Although both means for limiting the movement of the contact cam 68 are illustrated it should be understood that one or the other alone will be sufficient.

For the purpose of supporting the contact fingers 65, 66 and 6! (which are preferably formed of beryllium copper) in the desired insulated relationship there is disposed above the disk 90 as viewed in Fig. of the drawings a suitable insulating disk 95 having recessed openings for accommodating the nuts 92 associated with the upper ends of the helical spring guide posts 14. The insulating disk 96 preferably includes a sleeve like extension 91 for enclosing the threaded extension 94 and thereby insulating it from the contact fingers 65, '66 and E1. The threaded extension 94 therefore holds the disk 95 in position. The contact fingers 65, 66 and 67 include portions 65a, 56a and 61a respectively extending generally at right angles from the main body portion of the contact so as to lie substantially parallel with the insulating disk 96. These portions 65a, 66a, and 'Bla best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings each include an opening through which the sleeve like extension 97 is adapted to extend. The ends of these right angled extensions 55a, 66a and Na respectively provide suitable terminals for making electrical connections thereto and are designated as 65b, 66b and 61b respectively. As illustrated the portion 61a of the contact finger 91, is slipped over the threaded extension 94 and the sleeve 91 so as to be disposed closely adjacent the insulating disk 96, being spaced therefrom only by a suitable washer such as 99 for example. If desired the washer 99 may be dispensed with entirely. As illustrated the portion 'lifia of the contact finger 66 is positioned in contacting engagement with the portion 61a of the contact finger Bl as is clearly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. A suitable insulating washer tail is disposed between the portion 65a of the contact finger 65 and the portion 66a of the contact finger 66. For the purpose of fixedly holding these contacting fingers in position a suitable nut l0! and a washer I02 may be provided, the nut |0I engaging the threaded extension 94 to clamp the contact fingers into position. An insulating washer I03 is preferably inserted be tween the washer H32 and the portion 65a of the contact finger 55. As illustrated the contact fingers 65, 66 and 6'! are displaced from one another by substantially 120 and to maintain this desired displacement the insulating disk 96. is preferably providedwith a plurality of notches I05 spaced around the periphery thereof by angles of substantially 120. 7

The reason that the member 68 has been designated as the contact cam is because one of its primary functions in accordance with the-present invention is to cam the contacting fingers B5, 66 and S? into contacting engagement with cooperating portions of the plug H1. Accordingly, the disk portion of the contact 58 is pro- 10 vided with cam openings I06 spaced so that the free ends of the contact fingers may extend therethrough. The ends of the contact fingers are disposed at an angle so that the contact tips, which include bent portions 650, 66c and 610 respec-.

tively for moving into the ring and tip grooves 33 and 94, are closer to the longitudinal axis of the jack than intermediate portions of the.

fingers which are bent to form shoulders B5d,

engage cooperating portions of the plug It] Whenit is inserted in the jack H. The shoulders 65d,- Blid and 8111 are, in effect, locking shoulders S0 that when the cam moves above the shoulders as indicated in Fig. 7 of the drawings there is a tendency to hold the cam in this position andv consequently lock the contacts into contacting.

engagement with the plug.

In accordance with the present invention the plug is adapted to be-lockingly held in contact: ing engagement with the jack II. This is accomplished by virtue of the provision of the ring groove 33 and the tip groove 34 in the plug Ill which receive therein the contacting portions 650. 66c and 57c of the spring contacts 65, 66 and '61, the ring groove 33 receiving the electrically in-. terconnected contact tips 660 and 610 while the tip groove receives the contact tip 650. When the plug I8 is inserted in the jack l and the contact cam 58 is moved over the locking shoulders 65d, 66d and 61d which are arranged in a common plane, the contact cam remains locked in this position and the plug ID is locked in the jack M. This locking action accurs by virtue of the nature of the forces acting on the contact springs 65, 66 and 61. The plug I9 and the con, tact cam 68 are exerting opposing forces on the contact springs. The resultant force acting between the contact cam 58 and the shoulders or back sides of the rises in the contact springs is equal to the force of the spring 69 in its compressed condition. By'proper design the spring contacts make electrical connection with the plug 19 and at the same time lock the plug in position when inserted into the jack ll.

With the arrangement described it will be ap parent that when the plug and jack are in the position shown in Figs. 1 and '7 of the drawings that the conductor of the cable I3 is electrically connected to the contact finger 65 while the conductor I31) is electrically connected to the contact fingers 66 and 6?. The third circuit is completed between the sleeve contact 55 and the edges of the orifice '5! in the face plate 60 which may provide a suitable ground connection. In other words the third conductor l3a is electrically connected to the face plate 60 and consequently to ground. It should be understood that the reason for two contacts engaging with the ring groove 33 while only one contact engages with the tip groove 34 is to reduce the bending mo.- ment in the plug, thereby reducing uneven wear in the orifice 6! of the jack ll. If it were not for this, the third contact 61 might be dispensed with. However the third contact permits a more uniform distribution of the forces and consequently mechanical balance.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the plug and jack con:

struction shown in Figs. 1 to 9 of the drawings will be understood by those skilled in the art and no further discussion thereof is included herewith. When the plug is removed from the jack the conical plunger 62 seals the orifice 6| as is clearly shown in Fig. of the drawings. When the plug is inserted in the jack the face plate sealing gasket 2| seals the orifice 6I as is clearly shown in Fig. '7 of the drawings. The spring contacts are cammed into position and perform the dual functions of completing the electrical circuit and performing a locking action to lock the plug and jack in engagement.

In Figs. to 16 of the drawings there is illustrated a plug and jack construction embodying the principles of the invention described above but diifering in structural details therefrom. Referring now to Figs. 10 to 16 of the drawings there is illustrated a jack generally designated at HI and a cooperating plug, a portion of which is shown in Fig. 16 and generally designated by the reference numeral III). The plug I!!! comprises a shell H2 and the axially arranged sleeve contact H3, ring contact H4 and tip contact II 5. These contacts are suitably insulated from each other .inthe manner described above and a portion of the insulation designated at II6a is disposed between the contacts I I4 and I 55 while another portion designated at II6b is disposed between the contacts I I3 and I I4. A face plate sealing gasket I I1 is provided which may be substantially similar to the face plate sealing gasket 2I described above. Unlike the plug I0 described above the plug I I0 has no circumferential locking grooves associated with the ring and tip contacts, but instead the shell H2 is provided with a cir cumferential locking groove I I8 the purpose of which will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

The jack III comprises the basic elements of the jack II described above including the movable conical sealing plunger, th helical biasing spring for the plunger and the camming means for camming the contacts into contacting position in response to a predetermined movement of the sealing plunger from its sealing position with respect to an orifice defined in the face plate of the jack. Essentially the jack I I I comprises a face plate I within which there is defined a suitable orifice I2I having a diameter so as to just receive the plug portion of the plug I I0 described above. Preferably the sleeve contact II3 engages with the walls defining the orifice I2I- to provide an electrical connection which is preferably the ground connection. Unlike the face plate 60 which is adapted to be bolted to a suitable panel or supporting structure, the face plate I20 is illustrated as being of circular configuration with a cylindrical extension, the exterior surface of which is threaded as indicated at I22.

It will be apparent that with this arrangement the face plate I20 may be supported from a suitable support by clamping means threadedly engaging with the threads I22. One of the clamping means is illustrated in the drawings and comprises the member I23 which supports a plurality of plug guide posts I23a, three such guide posts being shown in the drawings to guide the plug i ll) during the initial part of the plugging operation. Consequently the plug guide posts I23a are on the plug entrance face of the face plate I29. The member I23 is in effect a nutlike member including the integral extensions I23a defining the guide posts. The guide posts I23a are further more provided with cooperating grooves I24 for receiving and supporting a cloverleaf shaped locking spring I which is clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 11 of the drawings. When the plug I I0 is fully inserted into the jack I II as shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings the portions of the Cloverleaf shaped locking spring I25 having the smallest diameter are adapted to engage with the locking groove 5 i8 so as to lock the plug and jack in contacting engagement.

In order that the orifice I2I is sealed at the instant that the plug H0 is removed therefrom there is provided a conical sealing plunger I21 having a metal nose piece I28 which is capable of being received within a recess defined in the tip contact II5 as is indicated in Fig. 16 of the drawings. A suitable gasket I29 having a conical external configuration forms a part of the plunger I21 and is disposed so as to sealingly engage the edge of one end of the orifice I2 I. The reason for employing a conical sealing plunger was fully discussed above.

The important elements of the jack I I I, in addition to those already mentioned are a plurality of contact springs I30 and I3I, a contact cam I32 for camming the contacts into and out of engagement with plug I I 0, a helical spring I 33 for biasing the conical plunger I21 into sealing engagement with the orifice I2 I, and a pair of pivotally mounted locking arms I34 and I35.

For the purpose of supporting the elements of the jack described above and particularly for supporting the conical plunger in reciprocating relationship with reference to the orifice I2I there is provided on the side of the face plate I20 opposite from the guide posts I23a a suitable support comprising a plurality of helical spring guide posts I 31 in the form of slender metal rods which have the ends thereof fastened to the face plate I20 and extend therefrom in spaced parallel relationship, parallel with an axis extending through the center of the orifice I2I. Four such 7 rods disposed in equally spaced relationship around the orifice I2I are provided. The support comprising the helical spring guide posts I31 includes a stationary insulating supporting disk I38 suitably supported intermediate the ends of the guide posts I31. Preferably the insulating disk I38 may comprise an integral part of a plurality of insulating guide posts I39 best shown in Fig. 12 of the drawings which include suitable openings for receiving the ends of the helical spring guide posts I31 adjacent the face plate I20. These insulating guide posts I39 will prevent the plug IIO from electrically engaging one of the metal helical spring guide posts I31 during the plugging operation.

The contact cam generally designated at I32 is adapted to be reciprocally movable between the guide posts I31 as is clearly indicated in Fig. 13 of the drawings and includes a pair of lateral extensions I32a and I 3212 which provide the camming surfaces for camming the spring contacts I30 and I3I in a manner to be described hereinafter. An examination of Fig. 13 indicates that the particular shape of the contact cam I32 causes it to be maintained in a predetermined manner throughout its movement along the longitudinal axes of the guide posts I31. The contact cam I32 is provided with a central raised portion I320 for centering one end of the helical spring I33.

As in the embodiment described above the contact cam I32 is rigidly fastened by means of a connecting rod I40 with the plunger I2'I whereupon movement of the plunger I21 causes reciprocal movement of the contact cam I32. To permit this connection between the plunger I21 and the contact cam I32 which are disposed on opposite sides of the supporting disk I38 the latter is provided with an opening I4I of sufficient extent to permit not only of the passage of the connecting rod I40 but also the sealing plunger I21,

The contact springs I33 and I3I are illustrated as each comprising a strip of spring contact material bent back upon itself in the form of a loop with the major portion thereof parallel with the axis of the jack III. One end of the contact spring I3!) is bent radially toward the longitudinal axis of the jack and provided with a contact portion I3Da. A corresponding end of the contact spring I3 I is also bent radially toward the longitudinal axis of the jack III and provided with a contact portion I3Ia. The contact portions I3Ba and I3Ia are displaced in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the jack III as is clearly shown in Figs. 10 and 15 of the drawings so as respectively to engage the axially displaced tip and ring contacts H5 and H4 of the plug II II. The other ends of the spring contacts I 30 and I3! are bent laterally as indicated at I33!) and Hill; respectively and suitably supported from the stationary insulating disk I38 as is clearly shown in Fig. 15 of the drawings. The lateral projections I3I'Ib and I3Ib efiectively provide a pivot for the contact springs I33 and l3I respectively when the contact portions I391; and I301) are cammed radially inward to engage the plug H3 as described hereinafter. The bight portions 360 I3Ic of the contact springs I30 and I3I are bent radially toward the longitudinal axis of the jack III. into the path of movement of the cam portions I32a and [32?) respectively of the contact cam I32 so that upon a predetermined insertion of the plug I It or in other words a predetermined movement of the plunger I21 away from the orifice I2I the contacting portions I38a and I3Ia will be moved into contacting engagement with the associated parts of the plug I It.

For the purpose of supporting the helical spring 133 in a manner to bias the plunger I21 into sealing engagement with the orifice I2I there is provided an end support I45 including a central portion I451; for supporting the other end of the helical spring I33 remote from the orifice IZI. The end support I45 is fastened in any suitable manher to the guide posts I 37 at the ends remote from the face plate I23. Consequently the helical spring I30 is adapted to be compressed between the contact cam I32 and the stationary support I45. The compressed condition of the helical spring I33 is illustrated in Fig. 16 of the drawings.

It will be understood that with the arrangement described thus far the helical spring I33 when compressed in the manner shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings will constantly tend to urge the plug I I out of the jack Ii l with a force suificient to overcome the locking force provided by the cloverleaf spring I25 and the circumferential locking groove I I8. In order to render the spring I33 inefiective under these conditions the locking arms I33 and I35 mentioned above are provided. These locking arms are pivotally mounted as indicated at I50 within diametrically opposed slots II and I 52 respectively defined in the insulating supporting disk I38 so as to effectively provide pivotally mounted levers. The portions I 34a and I35a respectively of the locking arms I34 and I35 to the left of the pivotal points I53 as viewed in Figs. 14 and 16 of the drawings are disposed at an angle so as to extend toward the connecting rod '143 and the plug II 0 when the latter is inserted V the true spirit [4 into the. jack II I. arms I34 and I are provided. with shoulder portions I54 for engaging with the contact cam 132 in a manner clearly shown in Fig. 16 of the draw ings. Suitable torsion springs I56 associated with the pivots I normally bias the locking arms I34.

and I35 out of the locking position shown in Fig.

16 of thedrawings and intothe position shown in Fig. 14 of the drawings. Preferably the looking arms I34 and I35 are formed ofn'on rigid material so that they'ma'y flex out'of position when engaged by the plunger portion I27 while still" being sufficiently rigid in compression to hold the spring I33 in the compressed locked position shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings. When the plug I Ill is inserted fully into the jack I I I as shown in Fig. 16 of the drawings the tip contact I15 moves between the ends 134a and I35a of the locking arms I34 and I35 respectively so as to cause'the shoulders I54 to move into engagement with the contact cam I32 thereby rendering the spring I33 ineffective to push the contact plug i 10 out of the jack I II whereby the clover leaf shaped locking spring I25 engageable with the groove I I3 is suffi-' cient to maintain the parts in locked contacting engagement.

In view of the detailed description included above the operation of the plug andjack arrangement shown in Figs. 10 to 16 inclusive of the drawings will be readily understood by those skilled in the art and no further discussion thereof is included herewith.

It will be understood that there have been disclosed a plurality of embodiments of a water tight multi-contact plug and jack' comprising several very desirable features and including means for camming the jack contacts int'o en-'- gagement with the plug when the plug has been inserted a predetermined amount. The jack is completely sealed against the entrance of water, sand or other foreign material whether the plug is inserted therein or not and as is described above the plug is also sealed against the on trance of foreign matter such as water or the like. The constructions described above permit a very compact arrangement which is simple and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and which provides a substantially fool proof construction.

While there have been disclosed certain particular embodiments of the present invention it will be understood that the present invention is subject to various changes'and modifications. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications'as fall within and scope of the present invention.

What is desired to be secured'by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A water tight jack comprising a support, a face plate associated with one end of said sup port having a plug receiving orifice defined therein, means comprising a'eonical movable sealing plunger for closing said orifice, spring means biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said orifice, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said face plate in response to the insertion into'said orifice of an associated plug, spring contact means as sociated with said support movable radially toward'and away from the longitudinal axis of said jack, and means responsive to a predetermined movement of said plunger away from said sealing position for moving said contacts radially towar said longitudinal 'axis.

2. A water tight multi-contact jack comprising The other ends of the locking a plurality of spaced parallel rods defining a sup-' port, a face plate associated with one end of said support having a plug receiving orifice defined therein, a plurality of plug guide posts extending from said face plate, means comprising a movable sealing plunger for closing said orifice, spring means disposed between said rods for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said orifice, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said face plate in response to the insertion into said orifice of an associated plug contact means associated with said support movable from a first position to a second position, and cam means rendered effective in response to a predetermined movement of said plunger away from said sealing position for camming said contacts into con tacting engagement with a plug insertible in said jack.

3. A water tight multi-contact jack comprising a support, a face plate associated with one end of said support having a plug receiving orifice defined therein, means comprising a movable sealing plunger for closing said orifice, spring means biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said orifice, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference'to said face plate in response to the insertion into said orifice of an associated plug, spring contact means associated with said support movable from a first position to a second position, said contact means including a plurality of axially displaced contacting portions, cam means rendered effective in response to a predetermined movement of said plunger away from said sealing position for camming said contacts into engagement with a plug inserted into said orifice.

4. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein. a stationary support comprising a plurality of rodlike members extending from said face plate. a contact cam slidable along said rod like members and confined by said ro'd like members to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and saidface plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means confined by said rod like members for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening. a plurality of spring contacts mounted in insulated relationship on said support. an felon--- gated plu having three axially aligned contacts of substantially the same diameter, said plug bein of such dimensions as to be insertable into said opening. said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said opening in response to the insertion of said plug. means on said cam for enga ing said spring contacts to move contacting portions thereof radially inward to electrically engage said plug in response to a predetermined insertion of said plug into said jack, means controlled by said cam and rendered effective upon substantially complete insertion of said plug into said jack for releasably locking said spring contacts to said axially aligned contacts to hold said plug and jack in contacting engagement, and a resilient gasket sealing means on said plug engageable with said face plate around said opening when said plug and jack are in locked engagement for effectively sealing said opening. 5. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a stationary support comprising a plurality of rodlike members extending from said face plate, a contact cam slidable along said rod like members and confined by said rod like members to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a conical sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means confined by said rod like members for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a plurality of spring contacts mounted in insulated relationship on said support, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said opening in response to' the insertion of an associated plug, and means on said cam for engaging said spring contacts to move contactin portions thereof radially inward electrically to engage said plug in response to a predetermined insertion of said plug into said jack.

6. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a stationary support comprising a plurality of rodlike members extending from said face plate, a contact cam slidable along said rod like members and confined by said rod like members to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means confined by said rod like members for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a plurality of spring contacts mounted in insulated relationship on said support, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said opening in response to the insertion of an associated plug, means on said cam for engagin said spring contacts to move contacting portions thereof radially inward electrically to engage said plug in response to a predetermined insertion of said plug into said jack, and means rendered effective upon substantially complete insertion of said plug into said jack for releasably locking said plug and jack into contacting engagement.

'7. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack support including a face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a contact cam slidable along said support and confined by said support to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means associated with said support for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a plurality of spring contacts mounted in insulated relationship on said support, an elongated cylindrical plug insertable in said opening, said plug being provided with three axially aligned circular contacts of substantially the same diameter as said cylindrical plug, at least two of said circular contacts being provided with circumferential grooves, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said opening in response to the insertion of said plug, means on said cam for engaging said spring contacts to move contacting portions thereof radially inward to electrically engage said circular contacts and to releasably engage and look into said circumferential grooves .of said plug in response to awe 9 is n we mo e n f E 'a' lunger away from s-a1d sealing-position plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means associated with said support for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a plurality of spring contacts mounted in insulated relationship on said support, an elongated plug insertable in said opening, said plunger being movable out of a sealin position with reference to said opening in response to the insertion of said plug, and means on said cam for engaging said spring contacts to move contacting portions thereof radially inward to electrically engage said plug in response to a predetermined insertion of said plug into said jack.

9. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack support including a face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a contact cam movable relative to said support and confined by said support to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means associated with said support for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a spring contact mounted in insulated relationship on said support, a portion of said contact extending generally along the longitudinal axis of said plug, means definin a cam opening in said contact cam for receiving said contact whereby relative movement of said spring contact and said means defining said cam opening occurs in response to movement of said contact cam, and an elongated plug insertable in said face plate opening, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said face plate opening in response to the insertion of said plug, said sprin contact including an angular portion engageable by said means defining said cam opening to move a contacting portion thereof toward said plug in response to a predetermined movement of said cont-act cam upon insertion of said plug into said jack.

10. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack support including a face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a contact cam slidable along said support and confined by said support to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means associated with said support for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a spring contact mounted in insulated relationship on said support, a portion of said contact extending generally along the longitudinal axis of said plug, means defining a cam opening in said contact cam for receiving said contact whereby relative movement of said spring contact and said contact cam occurs in response to move- T 8. A combined jack and'plugpfdmprising a'jackr Ysuppo'rt mousing face plate having a plug reeiving' Opening defined therein, a comaem'am f slidablealong said support and confined bysaid Supportftomovement' along the longitudinal axis of" said jacklowaiid and a W ay frOrn said facer 'mentcbfdsafid; scouts-ct cam,-':saidr p1smger 'zbfiimg :qmovab'le dut-ofiazsealing position with reference :said .-.face platejopening y-inznesponse jto including:jan angulampnrticn;wgagmbleaby the :means defirnng saidzicamfopening to. mdveea contacting portion thereof toward said plug ingesponseltoza predeterminedimovement of said contact cam upon insertion of said plug into said jack, and a sheuldr on saidspring contact enesa e blabnm re se-magmas Q1? Ring when said plug is fully inserte n jaclg geleasably to lock said plug and jack in contacting engagement.

11, A combined jack and plug comprising a jack support including a face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a contact cam slidable along said support and confined by said support to movement along the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means associated with said support for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a spring contact mounted in insulated relationship on said support, a portion of said contact extending generally along the longitudinal axis of said plug, means defining ,a cam surface on said contact cam for-slidably engaging said contact whereby relative movement of said spring contact and said cam surface occurs in response to movement of said contact cam, an elongated plug insertable in said face plate opening including a circumferential locking groove, said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said face plate opening in response to the insertion of said plug, said spring contact including an angular portion engageable by said cam surface to move a contacting portion thereof toward said plug so as to engage said locking groove in response to a predetermined movement of said contact cam upon insertion of said plug into said jack, and a shoulder on said spring contact engageable by said cam surface when said plug is fully inserted in said jack for releasably locking said plug and jack in electrical engagement.

12. A combined jack and plug comprising a jack face plate having a plug receiving opening defined therein, a stationary support comprising a plurality of rod like members extending from said face plate, a contact cam including openings therein for said rod like members and slidable along said rod like members in the direction of the longitudinal axis of said jack toward and away from said face plate, a sealing plunger for sealing said opening disposed between said contact cam and said face plate and fastened to said cam so that said cam and plunger move as a unit, spring means for biasing said plunger into sealing engagement with said opening, a plurality of spring contacts mounted in insulated relationship on said support and spaced angularly around the longitudinal axis of said jack, said spring contacts including contact portions disposed at different axial positions along the longitudinal axis of said jack, an elongated plug insertable in said opening, a resilient gasket sealing means carried by said plug said plunger being movable out of a sealing position with reference to said opening in response to the insertion of said plug, cooperating means on said contacts and said cam effective after a predeter- 19 mined insertion of said plug into said jack for moving said contact portions toward said plug "electrically to engage the same, said sealing means being rendered efiectlve upon substantial- 1y complete insertion of said plug into said jack -=for sealing the connection between said plug and jack. HOWARD S. GLEASON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the idle or this patent:

Number 'UNI'IED'STATES PATENTS Name Date Durbin Nov. 17, 1914 Hope Jan. 22, 1924 Ford Jan. 19, 1932 Good May 1, 1934 Hubbell, Jr. Dec. 21, 1937 Johnston Dec. 10, 1940 Blinn Dec. 7, 1943 

